Young Adult

Bless you, Florence Hochman, for turning me on to this book.

This is now one of my favorite ideas. Dave Eggers writes under a pen name and creates the most horrific idea man could have ever dreamed of: the first in a series of reference books written by people who want to mess with future generations by providing erroneous information (e.g. giraffes did not evolve but rather came here from Neptune via the largest escalator in the galaxy).

I think this concept has been adopted by major political parties. Kids of all ages (from 3 to 83) get a kick out of this book.

The first in the Tales of Alvin Maker series. I really enjoyed reading this book with my middle schoolers. The boys, in particular, got a kick out of it, as it blends fantasy with historical fiction. Even better, it hooks readers to read the other books, which is one of my favorite ways to encourage students to develop the “daily reading habit.”

Gantos wrote the wonderful Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key, and I think this memoir makes for even more riveting reading. Jailed briefly as a young man, Gantos paints a picture of prison that is sure to make it feel like the last place any teenager wants to go. Essential reading.

I breezed through this book, as it kept my interest throughout (not easy, as most books have a good beginning, middle or end, but not all three). Maybe it is because the author is from Vermont, but I felt like I was in the world of Ichabod Crane. Lots of authors have tried to imitate J.K. Rowling, but this is one of the first books that has read like a Harry Potter book to me.

I am not usually one who goes for drawn-out prose, but Qualey is such a gifted writer that I do not mind that she takes her time. Protagonist Hanna is a teenager whose guilt consumes her after witnessing the deaths of two teens along a lake. When another witness, Will, tracks her down, the two deal with the issues together.

If you are not reading young adult books, you are missing out on some of the coolest stories told. When a mother’s child prodigy stops getting piano recital bookings, she creates a scheme to convince the world that a deceased composer is channeling his music from the grave through her son. The trick works until the prodigy’s older brother becomes convinced that the dead composer really has taken over the fingers of his younger brother. This is just an eerie and fascinating book.

I have battled with my own weight issues throughout my entire life, and that may be why I could not put down Moore’s highly gripping memoir of her lifelong battle with obesity. I have so much empathy for her and so many others whose drug of choice is food. A great story for classroom discussions.

What teenager does not feel like a misfit sooner or later? This intriguing story follows six teens that sneak out of a summer camp to save some doomed buffaloes. Powerful classroom discussions guaranteed!

I am a huge fan of Jane Yolen’s many wonderful books of poetry for children. This book shows another side of Yolen, as she has created (along with her son) a fun new twist on the tale of the Pied Piper.

Big print – don’t worry! Your boys will love this book about a teenager trying out for the high school football team and the eccentric old man who teaches him all he knows. Plenty of football for the boys, plus a great (and refreshingly deep) story of an unlikely cross-age friendship.

I’ve had four different friends go on missionary trips to Guatemala in the past year, and I was excited to read this tale of life there. Your students will gain healthy perspective by looking into the realities of others their age in economically poorer regions of the world.

Harry Potter meets Mary Poppins in this fascinating fantasy, the first in a series.

Thank goodness for Walter Mosley. When I was teaching 8th grade boys in South Los Angeles, Walter Mosley was our savior. He has written so many great books that speak to so many of my students (e.g. Always Outnumbered, Always Outgunned and Devil in a Blue Dress). This book represents his foray into young adult literature, and it is great. Whether he realizes it or not, Mr. Mosley has quite a fan base among teenage boys. A great author!

What wonders await the bored and curious? Four separate stories highlight how a magic library card changes the lives of disenfranchised youth. I LOVE books that promote the wonders of reading!

At least once a year I have to remind folks that a great writer to get boys hooked on reading is Philip K. Dick, as his books are always short, engaging and haunting!